5th June 2016

Well, we've voted in the UK referendum, but not without problems.  Our old UK Council was as incompetent as ever because, despite my completing both our registrations with the Electoral Commission in time, only one of us received the papers - and it wasn't me.  Just like at the last election, I complained three times via email to our original local Council, who are responsible for sending out postal voting papers, but no reply.  Eventually I got through on the phone only to get a temporary worker, who had to transmit all my exasperated queries to someone else. At last, my papers arrived and I followed the instructions.....date of birth, signature, check both numbers match....I thought voting was supposed to be anonymous!  Even the posting of it was contentious here.  Some branches of France's La Poste do not recognise the 'Ne pas Refranchir' on the airmail return envelope. There are reports of French post offices throwing the precious envelopes in the bin through lack of postage!!  So, after all that, will our votes arrive? Who knows.  

23 October 2011

Canny those Chinese. In a week of Greek strikes and anti-capitalist rallies, there was little Jin Qin. The solution, said Jin, Chairman of China's sovereign wealth fund, is for Europeans to work harder and for longer, rather than being cushioned by the welfare system. "The root cause is the overburdened welfare system built up since WW2 in Europe: sloth-inducing, indolence-inducing labour laws," Jin told Channel 4 News. The average Chinese working week is nearly 48 hours. "We work like crazy," said Jin.  Trust the Chinese to hit the nail on the head.
And what's happening back home? In the UK everyone's arguing for a referendum to get out of the EU. My father used to say if the UK joins Europe fully, then Hitler would have won. But the world's changed. No Empire; we can't go it alone any longer. I never thought I'd say it, but I rather like Angela Merkel. She eschews facelifts and US-style power-dressing, sticking to her own quiet style of pastel jackets and black trousers - perfect for concentrating on the essentials: the terrifying financial burdens facing us all.
And the message from English expats to the UK? Please don't vote to leave the EU. Bereft of our link to health care, we'd all have to come home again, swelling even further a UK population bursting at the seams. Him indoors says we should all follow China's lead, but not like Mr. Yu - when asked what to call him, he said anything but A!